Thanks. I'm really not interested in "the top" ... VCU interests me a little but ultimately not enough to apply there. Most of these are high dollar, no funding, private institutions. Which is fine and good if your circumstances allow for that. Mine unfortunately do not. I'm looking for an underdog program in a low-cost of living market.
For example: Notre Dame is a program of great interest. It's well connected and research oriented … In close proximity to Chicago and has a robustly successful track record for serious work and strong student transition to professional practice in design. But, they are not on any of the 'lists'.
I'm looking for other off-list schools to consider. I'm also considering schools like UT Knoxville (ranked in the 40s I think) and the University of Missouri at Columbia, Iowa State U, U of Iowa, etc. I think there are tons of great programs that don't get that gloss of accolades the top-dollar metro centered programs enjoy. I'm looking for those sorta reccomendations.
I may be visiting the SECAC conference later this year to meet numerous program representitives in person.